Chamber of Commerce of Una-Sana Canton supports local stakeholders through the workshop “The Importance of Social Inclusion of Older Persons”
Chamber of Commerce of Una-Sana Canton, as one of the horizontal partners on ELEVATE project, organized and held workshop “The Importance of Social Inclusion of Older Persons” with the objective to raise awareness and equip participants with knowledge and strategies that promote the meaningful participation, dignity, and well-being of older adults in all aspects of society.
The workshop was structured in two parts:
1. Theoretical framework
The social model of inclusion of the older persons is presented, with special emphasis on the differences and tensions between the medical and social models.
It was emphasized that inclusion implies the removal of obstacles and the creation of a space of equal opportunities, where the older persons are not seen as a separate group that is provided with help, but as an equal part of the community.
In this context, the importance of human rights, universal and indivisible, as the basis of an inclusive approach was emphasized.
2. Interactive work
Through practical exercises and discussion, the participants recognized that the medical model often dominates everyday speech and practices (the older persons are viewed primarily as beneficiaries of assistance).
However, when the paradigm is reversed and viewed through the prism of the social model and universal human rights, the participants concluded that aging belongs to everyone and that there is no division into "us" and "them".
This approach naturally leads to social activities that empower the older persons and include them in the community
Special attention was paid to a survey that was conducted among the older persons from the City of Cazin. The survey conducted confirms that most of older persons feel lonely and want to be active members of the community. It is therefore necessary to develop a comprehensive program of social and physical activities that will respond to their needs, encourage social inclusion and contribute to improving the quality of life, which is the objective of the ELEVATE project.
All participants indicated that the workshop was extremely valuable and provided new insights into the inclusion of older people, emphasising that caring for them is not only an act of empathy but also an investment in one’s own future.
AUTHOR: Lorena Felić, Privredna komora USK
06/01/2026
By Jasna Presečki
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